Video: Mater Dei's Ayden Romo scores dazzling goal to win CIF Southern Section Open Division soccer final

Romo put a dazzling half-volley into the back of the net that made all the difference in the Open Division final

For a moment, the ball was floating 20 feet in the air and seemingly harmless.

The next moment, it found itself on the left foot of Mater Dei's Ayden Romo, who used a clinical, left-footed half-volley to sizzle the ball into the back of the net.

Romo's second-half goal was the difference in Mater Dei's 1-0 win over previously unbeaten Arlington High in the CIF Southern Section Open Division boys soccer final at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach Friday evening.

"We play a game in practice called 'baseball'," Romo told the Orange County Register. "We just work on volleys, half-volleys, first-time volleys. (The shot) just felt like home to me."

The Monarchs lifted the section's first-ever Open Division crown since moving to a new aggregate format that sees eight teams play twice in each round of the postseason. The team with the most goals after two games advances.

Mater Dei beat Montclair 4-2 (agg.) in the first round and San Clemente in the semifinals 3-2 (agg.) before taking down No. 1 seed Arlington, which only gave up six goals all season.

"This win meant everything," Romo added.

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Mater Dei sophomore Ayden Romo scored the goal that beat previously-undefeated Arlington in the ⁦@CIFSS⁩ Open Division soccer final tonight… pic.twitter.com/3kjcnjceep

— Steve Fryer (@SteveFryer) February 24, 2024